Photo by:
Sara Springer
How do you like your outdoor thrills?
Whether you're into the nerve-testing challenge of kayaking some of the
South's top rated white water or lazy picnics beside a spectacular waterfall,
Little River Canyon National Preserve has an adventure just waiting for
you.
This 14,000-acre preserve protects the
nation's longest mountaintop river, which flows for almost its entire length
down the middle of Lookout Mountain in northeast Alabama. Over eons of
geologic time, Little River has carved out one of the Southeast's deepest
canyons as it winds its way from headwaters in Georgia before exiting the
mountain and emptying into Weiss Lake near Leesburg, Alabama.
Because there are no dams to regulate
its flow and few man-made developments to pollute its waters, the river
is among the cleanest and wildest waterways in the South. Sandstone cliffs
tower up to 600 feet above the narrow canyon floor, providing a rock climber's
paradise and eye-popping vistas from overlooks along a 23-mile scenic drive
on the canyon's western rim.
Congress added the preserve to the
national park system in 1992. Within the Preserve's boundaries in DeSoto
State Park, a long established and popular vacation destination that offers
a resort lodge and restaurant, rental cabins, campgrounds and even a pool
and tennis courts managed by the Alabama state park system.
There are few visitor facilities within
the Little River Canyon National Preserve though a visitor center is planned
in the future. But camping is available at three designated primitive
campsites during the summer months and the National Park Service has installed
parking areas, overlooks, restrooms, and picnic areas at key locations.
Visitor activities in the preserve range
from passive sightseeing and bird watching to more vigorous pursuits such
as hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, rappelling,
canoeing and white water kayaking.
Photo By: Sandra Horne
The upper stretches of the river are calm
enough for swimming and canoeing, and the riverbank is easily accessible.
However, there are only a few access points to the deep canyon on the south
end of the preserve. Kayaking through the challenging rapids on the lower
river is fairly dangerous and should be left to the experts. The Preserve
has no concessions, equipment rentals or outfitters, so if your idea of
outdoor fun involves any equipment, bring your own.
The Preserve is a biologically diverse
area with a number of rare plants and animals such as the green pitcher
plant, and endangered fish called blue shiner and the green salamander.
A special use unit in the park's northern stretches is full of deer and
other game, and hunting and trapping are permitted under applicable state
and federal laws and seasons.
Canyon Mouth Day Use Area at the Preserve's south
end features a beach, picnic tables, a large pavilion,
barbecue grills and restrooms - perfect for a family or group outing.
There is a $2.00 day-use charge per vehicle for this area. Season passes are
available for $10.00.
***TIPS FOR THE TRIP ***
If you're visiting Little River Canyon
for the first time, head to the city of Fort Payne, Alabama, just off Interstate
Highway 59, about 45-minutes southwest of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Highway
signs will direct you to the national preserve and to DeSoto State Park.
If you need directions or other information, stop by the state park or
the National Preserve's headquarters at 2141 Gault Avenue North in Fort
Payne.
Locator maps, interpretive information
and safety tips are posted on signs located at parking lots and scenic
overlooks. The river is easily accessible in the northern end of the park
above Little River Falls. The southern end of the park lies in a deep,
narrow canyon and access to the canyon is limited to only a few places.
Check with the park staff or local residents before you attempt the trip
into the canyon. While the park offers spectacular white water adventures,
the rapids are dangerous. Don't attempt to kayak the lower river unless
you are an expert. There are several place above Little River Falls where
you can canoe or kayak safely.
Overnight accommodations and restaurants
are available in Fort Payne and on the mountain. For more information,
call park headquarters at (256)845-9605.
# # #
Paul Winegar
